Nationwide shortage of Leucovorin

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Gloria
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Nationwide shortage of Leucovorin

Postby Gloria » Mon Aug 16, 2010 2:07 pm

I went to my Onc today for a follow-up and he advised me that there is a nationwide shortage of Leucovorin and there's a possibility that next week when I go I may not get any or a reduced dose. Has anyone else heard this? He said it has to do with the manufacturer, not sure how long it will last. Gloria
56
DX 6/10/10
Resection 6/17/10
Stage IIA (pt3N0MX)
8/8 benign lymph nodes
Blockage/tumor 2.5 x2 x .3 cm
Start Folfox 8/9/10
Finished 1/17/11
NED :)

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RayGirl
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Re: Nationwide shortage of Leucovorin

Postby RayGirl » Mon Aug 16, 2010 2:35 pm

Shortage started in July. Some locations had enough of a stockpile that they may not be seeing it before now.

My location discovered that they could order the drug over the phone but not via the computer as usual.
Stage III Rectal: T3, 3/21 Nodes
dxn:Feb-10
Radiation&Xeloda
7.5 hr surgery
12th FOLFOX Nov-10
Takedown:Jan-11

"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning how to dance in the rain."

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CRguy
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Re: Nationwide shortage of Leucovorin

Postby CRguy » Mon Aug 16, 2010 3:13 pm

A little more discussion and info here too...FYI
http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=13795&hilit=shortage+of+leucovorin#p106274

Hope nobody gets caught short on their treatments.
Cheers
CRguy
Caregiver x 4
Stage IV A rectal cancer/lung met
17 Year survivor
my life is an ongoing totally randomized UNcontrolled experiment with N=1 !
Review of my Journey so far

airic
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Joined: Thu Dec 17, 2009 6:19 pm
Location: Columbia Falls, Mt

Re: Nationwide shortage of Leucovorin

Postby airic » Mon Aug 16, 2010 9:30 pm

I got my onc's last bag on july 7th. They said it had to do with Mikes OD on that sleeping med. They found a different supplier and I got my last dose on the 20th of July.
Stage IV Colon Cancer
8 inches of Colon removed 11-13-09
Lymph Nodes removed 11-13-09
Liver peice removed 11-13-09
Colosotmy Bag 11-17-09
Start Chomo FLOFOX6 Jan. 4th 2010

dianne052506
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Re: Nationwide shortage of Leucovorin

Postby dianne052506 » Mon Aug 16, 2010 10:05 pm

Here is the FDA's page on drug shortages. There are two suppliers worldwide of leucovorin. One is saying they don't have a date, one is saying better availability 4th quarter.
http://www.fda.gov/drugs/drugsafety/drugshortages/ucm050792.htm

If leucovorin is used to keep the 5-FU in your system longer, I've always wondered about the effectiveness of the treatment with just the 5-FU. During the shortage in the fall of 2008, my onc switched me to Xeloda pills to use in place of the 5-FU/leucovorin. The side effects are different, better for some patients, worse for others, but the efficacy should be the same. You'd have to see if your insurance would cover the Xeloda, since it is more expensive. Because of the shortage, insurance might be more willing.
Dianne
May 06 Stage IV CC: liver,ovarian mets
Oct 07 inoperable lung mets
Feb 08 - Apr'12 chemo
allergic to oxaliplatin, irinotecan
Aug '12-Feb'14 Genentech PD-L1/Avastin trial
Mar '14 -radiation to largest lung nodule
still recovering; looking at trials again

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Gloria
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Re: Nationwide shortage of Leucovorin

Postby Gloria » Mon Aug 16, 2010 11:14 pm

My Onc said that I may receive a small dose next week due to the shortage. :shock: Gloria
56
DX 6/10/10
Resection 6/17/10
Stage IIA (pt3N0MX)
8/8 benign lymph nodes
Blockage/tumor 2.5 x2 x .3 cm
Start Folfox 8/9/10
Finished 1/17/11
NED :)


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